Bloomberg: Apple's 18-Inch Foldable iPad Could Slip to 2029 Over Weight and Display Tech
According to Bloomberg, Apple’s plan for a large-screen foldable iPad may miss its original timeline as development hurdles push the launch into 2029. The company was rumored to target a 2028 debut, but issues with weight and advanced display technology could delay the product by a year or more.
The foldable device is expected to feature an 18-inch OLED panel sourced from Samsung, with a key focus on minimizing the visible crease in the display. OLED foldables remain costly, and projections peg the new iPad at a price well above today’s models—potentially up to three times the cost of the 13-inch iPad Pro. With the 13-inch iPad Pro priced around $1,299, a fully realized foldable could approach roughly $3,900 if component costs don’t fall in the coming years.
When the unit is closed, the chassis resembles a Mac with an aluminum shell and no external display. If opened, it would occupy a footprint similar to the 13-inch MacBook Air, but it would lack a physical keyboard. The large screen and metal housing contribute to a heavier prototype, estimated at about 3.5 pounds—significantly heavier than current iPad Pro models.
Bloomberg notes that the foldable iPad’s design bears resemblance to the Huawei MateBook Fold, an 18-inch foldable tablet that currently sells for around $3,400. The comparison underscores the premium nature of an Apple device in this category and the price pressure created by the size and build requirements.
Rumors also continue to swirl about Apple’s broader foldable ambitions. Some reports have suggested an iPhone foldable could arrive soon, potentially joining the iPhone 18 lineup, although newer information hints that device could face its own delays.
In other Apple news, there are whispers of a busy week ahead for product announcements. There’s chatter about a refreshed MacBook Air and the potential introduction of an M5-powered lineup, signaling continued momentum for Apple’s thin-and-light notebook segment alongside updates to its tablet strategy.